Judge rules in favor of EDB, Port and Chamber
IT'S A WIN.
Last month, a Pierce County Superior Court judge ruled the EDB, Port of Tacoma and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce were not required to file campaign finance reports when they challenged the constitutionality of two ballot measures promoted by Save Tacoma Water. The ballot measures, which evolved out of citizen opposition to the then-proposed methanol plant on the Tacoma Tideflats, would have called for a public vote for projects that require one million gallons of water or more per day.
In response, the EDB, Port and Chamber filed a lawsuit to invalidate the initiatives, which not only appeared unconstitutional, but would also have a chilling effect on the marketplace and put the health and future of Pierce County's economy at risk. On July 1, 2016, the courts ruled in our favor to keep the measures off future ballots.
On the heels of that decision, a citizen complaint was filed with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) contending the EDB, Port and Chamber violated campaign finance laws. After review, the PDC agreed there was no violation of election rules and advised the Washington State Attorney General's Office take no legal action. In a baffling move, ignoring the PDC's recommendation, the Attorney General filed a lawsuit on Aug. 15.
On Dec. 14, following three hours of testimony, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Ronald Culpepper dismissed the case citing there was no campaign activity involved to prevent the illegal, anti-economic development initiatives from reaching the ballot.
"It's important that companies looking to invest know we're open for business," said EDB President and CEO Bruce Kendall. "When anti-business, illegal ballot measures are proposed, we have to challenge them. This was not about water. This was about principle. We're very happy Judge Culpepper determined that the law agreed with us."
EDB rings in new year with new board, chair
IT TAKES A LOT OF HANDS TO GROW THE ECONOMY
of the South Sound and Washington State. The EDB couldn't do it without a strong and committed board and executive committee.
In November 2016, the EDB elected Kari Scott, regional vice president and senior vice president of Commercial Banking, Wells Fargo, as executive committee chair for 2017. "I believe this is a really exciting time for our region, and the EDB can be a leader in helping bring continued growth by focusing on our work plan to Compete Everyday Forever," Scott said. "I look forward to working closely with the EDB team and community leaders."
Greg Unruh, president, Franciscan Health Foundation, was elected vice chair. Rounding out the 2017 executive board are Bev Losey, senior vice president, Brown & Brown of Washington; Bruce Dammeier, Pierce County executive; David Zeeck, president and publisher of The News Tribune; City of Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland; John Wolfe, CEO, Port of Tacoma; Terry Jones, South Sound Market president, US Bank; and Jason Whalen, partner, Ledger Square Law.
Big thanks to 2016 chair Bev Losey, who moves to immediate past chair this year, and departing executive committee members Troy Goodman, president of Targa Sound Terminal, and Nigel English, Heritage Bank senior vice president, both of whom hit term limits. Their contributions are invaluable and much appreciated.
The EDB also welcomed 10 new private sector board members to three-year terms: Kristie Casarez, vice president, Parametrix; Don Clark, president and CEO, Sound Credit Union; Derrek Gafford, executive vice president, CFO, True Blue; Scott Jones, vice president and general manager, Newland Communities; Jeff Lyon, chairman and CEO, Kidder Mathews; Warren Martin, managing partner and board chair, Gordon Thomas Honeywell; Cameron Proudfoot, president and CEO, US Oil; Herb Simon, partner, Simon Johnson; Adi Singh, director, Frederickson Site, Boeing; and Julia Truman, COO, MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital.
Returning private sector board members include: Greg Biersack, vice president Corporate Operations, Burkhart Dental Supply; Terry Jones; Bev Losey; Brian Marlow, president South Sound Market, Key Bank; Andy McDonald, executive vice president and CCO, Columbia Bank; Andrew Over, Market vice president, Regence; Greg Unruh; and Jason Whalen.
The 2017 public sector/NGO board members include: John Caulfield, City of Lakewood manager; Bruce Dammeier; Andrew Fry, assistant director, University of Washington Tacoma Institute of Technology; Bill Gaines, director and CEO, Tacoma Public Utilities; Jill Guernsey, City of Gig Harbor mayor; Ron Langrell, president, Bates Technical College; Linda Nguyen, CEO, WorkForce Central; Tom Pierson, president and CEO, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce; Patty Rose, secretary-treasurer, Central Labor Council; Marilyn Strickland; Steve Sugg, City of University Place manager; and John Wolfe, executive director, Port of Tacoma.
The EDB also bid a fond farewell to departing board members Glenn Kasman, president and East Pierce County Market leader, MultiCare Health System; Pat McCarthy, former Pierce County Executive; Joyce McDonald, former Pierce County Councilmember; Bob Redd, US Oil; and Rich White, Boeing.
THE EDB IS PLEASED TO WELCOME
Dan Trimble, new vice president for Business Recruitment and Real Estate Development.
Dan was most recently the Economic Development Division manager for the City of Burien. He brings a wealth of economic development experience and talent to the table and has an outstanding track record of delivering projects.
Dan will work with EDB clients and partners in Tacoma and throughout Pierce County to recruit Class A office tenants and developers. If you have an interest in a new office location or in developing office space, contact Dan at 253.284.5889 or [email protected].
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© Copyright 2016 Economic Development Board for Tacoma/Pierce County
Teamwork is a service of the
EDB, a non-profit corporation focused on recruitment and retention of primary businesses in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Telephone: 253-383-4726. Website: www.edbtacomapierce.org
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2017 EDB Annual Meeting...we'll see you there
Don't miss the South Sound's signature economic development event. The 2017 EDB Annual Meeting will be March 1 at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. Hear the latest about local economic development, help us celebrate 2016 and learn more about exciting things ahead. And you can always count on a compelling keynote speaker. We'll share more on that, soon.
Join us for the EDB's unveiling of the Excellent 10 List for 2016, an update on annual business retention and recruitment results and announcement of the Golden Shovel Award. And let's not forget the great prizes!
Go to edbtacomapierce.org to become a sponsor, buy a table or register. Advance registration and payment required.
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